Arytenoid subluxation after a bout of coughing: a rare case

Korman et al (Laryngoscope.1973;83:683-690) first reported arytenoid dislocation as a rare and unusual complication of intubation. Since then, the terms arytenoid dislocation and arytenoid subluxation (AS) have been used interchangeably to describe disruption of the cricoarytenoid joint. Only 74 cases of AS have been reported in the literature to date. The most common cause of AS is intubation trauma and external neck injury. Only 1 case of AS due to coughing has been documented. Arytenoid subluxation cases are often misdiagnosed as vocal fold paralysis. A high index of suspicion based on the history, examination findings, and objective tests helps in early diagnosis and, thus, early surgical intervention. We present a rare etiology of AS due to a bout of coughing, which was diagnosed early and reduced under general anesthesia with complete reversibility of vocal fold motion, thus restoring normal voice function.